POST DESCRIPTION
 

SECTION 1
Position Information

Position Title: Senior Protection Associate

• Position Grade: G7
• Duty Station: San Pedro Sula
• Position Number: New Position
• Job Family: Operations
• Organizational Unit: Sub Office
• Is this a Regional, HQ, MAC, PAC, Liaison Office, or a Country Office based position?: Honduras Position rated on: N/A
• Reports directly to: Head of Sub-Office
• Number of Direct Reports: 5

SECTION 2
Organizational Context and Scope

The IOM Protection Unit leads and coordinates the design and implementation of protection programming within the Country Office, addressing the needs of migrants, internally displaced persons, vulnerable host communities affected by violence, poverty and climate-related shocks, and other populations at risk. Working within a complex humanitarian and migration context, the Unit delivers integrated protection services—including GBV, counter-trafficking, child protection (NNA), MHPSS and AVR/RR—while promoting protection mainstreaming across all programmes, strengthening partnerships and referral systems, and ensuring compliance with IOM standards and humanitarian principles to reduce risks, safeguard rights and support durable solutions.

SECTION 3
Responsibilities and Accountabilities
•Lead and coordinate the work of a team of Protection Case Workers , managing work loads and assigning cases, providing technical support, monitoring implementation of the activities, analysing implementation difficulties and make recommendations.
•Oversee the case management services conducted by Protection Case Workers in line with IOM standards and tools, providing quality assurance, identifying and addressing chalelnges and gaps, and ensuring compliacen with IOM standards.
•Ensure that Protection Case Workers remain up to date of all current guidance on case work/Protection standards and guidelines, advisories on communications with beneficiaries and partners, program-specific guidance, and all other relevant internal resources and guidelines.
•Ensure and oversee the maintetance of accurate data collection and case notes in IOM’s case management systems (such as MiMOSA or other approved tools), ensuring data protection and confidentiality standards are met.
•Coordinate with Head of Sub-Office and Protection Officer, and other operational staff (health, psychosocial, logistics) to ensure service provision is timely and that operational constraints or gaps are identified and escalated.
•Lead internal case coordination with other units in the mission (including Health, MHPSS, Case managers, Operations, and other teams) and with IOM in other mission (Regional Offices, IOM missions in other countries).
•At request of Head of Sub-Office and Protection Officer , participate in protection coordination forums at local level; collaborate with partners (NGOs, UN agencies, government) to enhance referral networks and services.
•Assist in preparing reports, summaries, outcomes of case work, and contribute to protection assessments, lessons learned and monitoring of protection related project indicators as required by programme.
•Carry out duty travel as required for field visits, monitoring of services or partner organization sites.
•Perform other duties as may be assigned by the Head of Sub-Office and Protection Officer.

SECTION 4
Required Qualifications and Experience
EDUCATION
•School diploma with seven years of relevant experience; or,
•Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences, International Relations/Affairs, Research, Law or a related field from an accredited academic institution with five years of relevant professional experience.
 

EXPERIENCE
•Experience in protection case management (including for survivors GBV and human trafficking, children at risk) in humanitarian or migration contexts.
•Experience working with vulnerable persons, ideally including returnees or deported migrants, who have complex needs.
•Experience with referrals and coordination with local protection actors, NGOs, or government services.
•Experience working in programs that include a movement operations component is an advantage.
•Experience with IOM or other UN agencies, particularly working on assisted voluntary return and reintegration programs, is preferred.
 

SKILLS
•Knowledge of IOM and Inter-agency protection standards and operational guidelines, including IOM Case Management Guidelines. Knowledge of human rights and international migration law is an asset.
•Knowledge of MiMOSA is a strong asset.
•Strong interpersonal skills, ability to interact respectfully with migrants with trauma or complex needs, and proven ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with people of diverse cultural and national backgrounds.
•Strong interpersonal and teamwork skills.
•Ability to deliver assistance in challenging conditions; adaptability and good judgment.
•Good written and verbal communication skills; ability to prepare case notes and reports.
•Proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel), tools used for case management.

SECTION 5
Languages
REQUIRED: Required to be fluent Spanish and working knowledge in English
DESIRABLE: Working knowledge of another official UN language is an advantage.

SECTION 6
Competencies

The incumbent is expected to demonstrate the following values and competencies:

VALUES - All IOM staff members must abide by and demonstrate these five values:
Inclusion and respect for diversity: Respects and promotes individual and cultural differences. Encourages diversity and inclusion.
Integrity and transparency: Maintains high ethical standards and acts in a manner consistent with organizational principles/rules and standards of conduct.
Professionalism: Demonstrates ability to work in a composed, competent and committed manner and exercises careful judgment in meeting day-to-day challenges.
Courage: Demonstrates willingness to take a stand on issues of importance.
Empathy: Shows compassion for others, makes people feel safe, respected and fairly treated.
 

CORE COMPETENCIES - Behavioral indicators – Level 2
Teamwork: Develops and promotes effective collaboration within and across units to achieve shared goals and optimize results.
Delivering results: Produces and delivers quality results in a service-oriented and timely manner. Is action oriented and committed to achieving agreed outcomes.
Managing and sharing knowledge: Continuously seeks to learn, share knowledge and innovate.
Accountability: Takes ownership for achieving the Organization’s priorities and assumes responsibility for own actions and delegated work.
Communication: Encourages and contributes to clear and open communication. Explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring and motivational way.
 

MANAGERIAL COMPETENCIES - Behavioural indicators – Level 2
Leadership: Provides a clear sense of direction, leads by example and demonstrates the ability to carry out the Organization’s vision. Assists others to realize and develop their leadership and professional potential.
Empowering others: Creates an enabling environment where staff can contribute their best and develop their potential.
Building Trust: Promotes shared values and creates an atmosphere of trust and honesty.
Strategic thinking and vision: Works strategically to realize the Organization’s goals and communicates a clear strategic direction.
Humility: Leads with humility and shows openness to acknowledging own shortcomings.

Nota:
La OIM mantiene una política de tolerancia cero frente a conductas inaceptables e incompatibles con los propósitos y objetivos de las Naciones Unidas y de la propia Organización. Estas incluyen, entre otras, la explotación y el abuso sexual (EAS), el acoso sexual, el abuso de autoridad y cualquier forma de discriminación por motivos de género, nacionalidad, edad, raza, orientación sexual, religión, origen étnico o discapacidad.

La OIM no cobra ninguna tarifa en ninguna etapa de su proceso de contratación (solicitud, entrevistas, procesamiento, capacitación u otros costos), ni solicita información relacionada con cuentas bancarias.

La OIM solo acepta solicitudes debidamente completadas y presentadas a través de su sistema de contratación en línea. Esta plataforma permite a las personas candidatas dar seguimiento al estado de su postulación.

COMO APLICAR: Candidatos interesados son bienvenidos a aplicar a más tardar el lunes 29 de junio de 2026  a través del enlace: Senior Protection Associate - IOM Careers